http://mppl.org/services/youth-department/good-books/?category=caregiver+conversation+starters&list=Books+about+Death%2C+Loss%2C+and+Grieving
List: Books about Death, Loss, and Grieving
The goodbye book
Illustrations and brief text relate how a person might feel when they lose someone they love.
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Missing mommy
Daddy comforts and reassures a very young boy after Mommy dies.
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Big cat, little cat
"A moving tale about friendship, new beginnings, and cats"--
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Abuelito
"Alejo loved his Abuelo. They did everything together and were the best of friends. They had so much fun that one little neighbor couldn't help but notice and admire their strong bond. But one day, Abuelo wasn't there anymore. He got too sick to come home. Nothing makes Alejo feel better; doing all of things he used to do with Abuelo just makes him feel more lonely. But, maybe, just maybe, one special little neighbor can help"--Provided by publisher.
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Mouseboat
A young girl feels lost after the death of her mother, but when she and her father visit their lake house, she takes out the small boat she and her mom built together and somehow, in the wind and rain, reconnects with her mother's love.
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A gift of feathers
"When she finds a feather, Grandma Dot adds it to her collection. Feathers, she tells her two granddaughters, remind Grandma Dot of people she's lost. At first, the girls see the feathers as fun to play with. But soon, Grandma Dot's feathers take on larger meanings--of comfort, remembrance, and love"--
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Still mine
"But what happens when the person you love is gone? Your heart hurts and you miss them, but even though your eyes can't see them anymore and your arms can't hug them, they are still there, still yours to love ... just in a different way"--
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If you miss me
In the summer Charlie and her grandmother dance in the light of the moon, and when Charlie returns to the city her grandmother assures her that when they are apart Charlie just needs to look at the moon, and they will be united together in its light, forever.
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Many shapes of clay
"Eisha spends her day making clay shapes in her Mama's art studio. One shape in particular gives her a sense of joy and nostalgia-it reminds her of the time she picked lemons with her Papa. But when her clay turns to stone and breaks into pieces, Eisha feels a great sadness. Together with her Mama, she finds a unique way of moving forward and seeing her sadness in new light"--
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My nana's garden
A little girl visits her grandmother in different seasons, and together they explore the wonders of her garden. Until, one day, Nana isn't there anymore. But as winter gives way to spring, the girl learns that life goes on, and so does the memory of those we love. --
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Rodney was a tortoise
"A touching picture book about the friendship between a girl and her pet tortoise, and the aftermath of the tortoise's passing."--
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A last goodbye
"This book explores the death of a loved one through the parallel experiences of other species of animals, similar to Elin's treatment of nature in You Are Stardust and problem-solving in Wild Ideas. As with Elin's previous picture books, A Last Goodbye will combine simple, poetic text with a "big idea"--in this case, the idea that death is a natural part of our lives and that many species experience sadness and mourning when their loved ones are sick and dying. From elephants to killer whales, parrots to bonobos, lemurs to humans, many animals have rituals to commemorate their loved ones and to help them through difficult times. This book broaches a difficult and scary topic through a gentle and heartfelt exploration of the natural stages of life and loss. In a parallel way to how we will be remembered by our loved ones, the book goes on to explore the ways our bodies might be remembered by the earth, repurposed to continue replenishing new life."--
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Sakura's cherry blossoms
"Sakura's dad gets a new job in America, so she and her parents make the move from their home in Japan. When she arrives in the States, most of all she misses her grandmother and the cherry blossom trees, under which she and her grandmother used to play and picnic. She wonders how she'll ever feel at home in this new place, with its unfamiliar language and landscape. One day, she meets her neighbor, a boy named Luke, and begins to feel a little more settled. When her grandmother becomes ill, though, her family takes a trip back to Japan. Sakura is sad when she returns to the States and once again reflects on all she misses. Luke does his best to cheer her up -- and tells her about a surprise he knows she'll love, but she'll have to wait till spring. In the meantime, Sakura and Luke's friendship blooms and finally, when spring comes, Luke takes her to see the cherry blossom trees flowering right there in her new neighborhood."--
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Saturdays are for Stella
George loves spending Saturdays with his grandmother, Stella. One day, Stella is gone and George is ready to cancel Saturdays--until a new addition to the family arrives and George finds a way to honor the memories of his beloved grandmother.
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Remembering Ethan
A young girl misses her deceased brother and wants to talk about him, and she does not understand why her parents do not even want to mention his name.
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Grandpa's stories : a book of remembering
A young girl reflects on a year of exploring and laughing with her beloved Grandpa, remembering many special moments as she seeks a way to honor him after his death.
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Maybe tomorrow?
Elba carries the black block of grief and sadness wherever she goes--until Norris comes along and helps her to let go of the block and enjoy life again.
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Where Lily isn't
"Lily ran and jumped and barked and whimpered and growled and wiggled and wagged and licked and snuggled. But not now. It is hard to lose a pet. There is sadness, but also hope--for a beloved pet lives on in your heart, your memory, and your imagination"--
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Cape
After losing the person in his life he loves more than anything, a young child holds onto a cape as a source of comfort and strength as he navigates the sadness and joy of his memories.
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The circles in the sky
"One morning, Fox is drawn toward the forest. There, in a clearing, he sees something small and silent, perhaps forgotten. It's a bird, lying as still as can be. Fox is confused, upset, and angry. Is the bird broken? Why doesn't it move or sing, no matter what Fox does? His curious antics are spied by a little moth, who shares a comforting thought about the circles in the sky -- that the sun, even after it sets, is reflected by the moon and the stars, reminding us of its light"--
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The bear and the wildcat
When the Bear's friend, the little bird, dies, Bear is inconsolable. Full of grief, he locks himself in his house and ventures out again only when the smell of spring grass blows in through his window. He meets a wildcat and finally feels understood. As the cat plays his violin, Bear remembers all the fun he had with the little bird. Now he can say goodbye to his friend, because he knows he'll always have his memories.
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Something very sad happened : a toddler's guide to understanding death
A "tool for parents, caregivers, therapists, and teachers to help young children understand the concept of death and begin the process of coping with the loss"--Amazon.com.
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The heart and the bottle
After safeguarding her heart in a bottle hung around her neck, a girl finds the bottle growing heavier and her interest in things around her becoming smaller.
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When someone dies
Death is a complicated topic, and it's never easy to discuss with children. This picture book uses child-friendly text and sensitively explains what happens when someone dies and provides starting points for how to deal with the grief process. It includes a helpful section with advice, practical tips, and activities for caregivers and teachers.
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The scar
When his mother dies, a little boy is angry at his loss but does everything he can to hold onto the memory of her scent, her voice, and the special things she did for him, even as he tries to help his father and grandmother cope.
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Good-bye, Jeepers : what to expect when your pet dies
"When a pet dies, it can feel like you lost your best friend. What do you do? Whether you had a guinea pig, dog, cat, or fish, this story can help you through the tough times."--P. [4] of cover.
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Where do they go?
Children wonder what happens to their loved ones after death.
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Ida, always
A polar bear grieves over the loss of his companion, based on the real-life Gus and Ida of New York's Central Park Zoo.
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Ladder to the moon
Suhaila's wish to know her deceased grandmother is granted when a golden ladder appears at her window and Grandma Annie invites her on a journey to the moon, where they welcome people who are facing tragedy. Includes facts about the painting and woman who inspired the story.
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Different kinds of good-byes
"Full-color photographs and simple text illustrate a variety of good-bye situations"--Provided by publisher.
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My big, dumb, invisible dragon
"The day a young boy loses his mother, an invisible dragon swoops in and stays with him, weighing him down day and night until, at last, their relationship changes." --
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Death is stupid
"This exploration of grief and mourning recognizes the anger and confusion that a child feels around death while offering possibilities for celebrating life and love. This is the second book in the series, Ordinary Terrible Things, following the first installation, Divorce is the Worst"--
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Bird is dead
"An honest and simple exploration of death and grief for kids 4 to 8. With playful illustrations by a therapist-turned-artist, Bird is Dead uses humor to make death a more approachable topic. An honest and simple exploration of death and grief for kids 4 to 8. With playful illustrations by a therapist-turned-artist, Bird is Dead uses humor to make death a more approachable topic."--
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The hare-shaped hole
"Hertle and Bertle were always a pair, though one was a turtle and one was a hare. They were utterly buddies, and best friends forever, and whenever you looked, you would find them together... until quite unexpectedly... the end came. When Hertle disappears for good, Bertle can only see a Hertle-shaped hole where his friend should be. He pleads with it, get angry with it, but the hole still won't bring his Hertle back. It seems like hope is lost... until Gerda the kindly bear finds him. She explains that he must fill the hole with his memories of Hertle. And slowly... Bertle begins to feel a little bit better."--
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We need to talk about death : an important book about grief, celebrations, and love
Death is an important part of life, and yet it is one of the hardest things to talk about--for adults as well as children. Historian and museum curator Sarah Chavez is determined to create a book that sparks wonder and curiosity about dying, instead of fear and shame. In this informative book, illustrated by Annika Le Large, children will marvel at the flowers different cultures use to represent death. They will find out about eco-friendly burials, learn how to wrap a mummy, and go beneath the streets of Paris to witness skull-lined catacombs! Readers will also ride a buffalo alongside Yama, the Hindu god of death, come face-to-face with the terracotta army a Chinese emperor built to escort him to the afterlife, and party in the streets to celebrate the Day of the Dead in Mexico.
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